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Mark Diaz

Aggressive Texas Criminal Defense Attorney

Criminal defense Attorney in Galveston, Mark Diaz has been aggressively defending the rights of Texans for over eighteen years. Mark is a seasoned litigator who has tried every kind of criminal defense case. Mark’s clients receive his cell phone number, so they can connect any time they need help. From arrest through trial, Mark works hard to get the best possible results in and out of court.

The Most Serious Crime in the Texas Penal Code

If you have been charged with a form of homicide, you may have already been convicted in the court of public opinion. Although the American justice system assumes that individuals accused of crimes are innocent until proven otherwise, society often judges a person guilty before he even sets foot in a courtroom. If you are facing a murder charge, friends and family members may have turned their backs on you.

The seriousness of the allegations involved and the potential consequences can leave you feeling isolated, overwhelmed, and anxious. That is why you need an experienced homicide defense lawyer on your side. I am prepared to stand solidly in your corner, as I have for countless others in your shoes.

Capital Murder

In Texas, homicide crimes are categorized as four separate criminal offenses. Capital murder, which is the only form of homicide punishable by death, is the most serious of the four. To be charged with capital murder, an individual must intentionally or knowingly:

Murder a police officer or firefighter acting in an official capacity

Commit murder in the course of committing a violent crime

Commit a murder for hire

Murder multiple victims

Murder a child under age six

The penalties for capital murder include life imprisonment and the death penalty.

Murder Charges in Galveston or Houston

Murder is a first degree felony, which means convicted individuals can be sentenced to between five and 99 years in prison. The death penalty is not available in murder cases. A person can be charged with murder for:

Intentionally or knowingly causing another’s death

Intending to cause serious physical injury through the commission of a clearly dangerous act that results in death

Causing the death of another during the commission of a dangerous felony regardless of intent to kill

Manslaughter

Manslaughter is causing the death of another through recklessness. Although there is no intent to kill, the offender must be aware that his conduct is highly dangerous. This reckless behavior must create a substantial risk of death that an ordinary person would not undertake.

Because the state does not have to prove that the accused intended to cause the victim’s death, manslaughter cases can be difficult to defend. Many fatal car accident cases are prosecuted under a manslaughter charge. Whether you were texting and driving or got behind the wheel after too many drinks, you can find yourself facing a second degree felony conviction. Your lawyer must have a clear understanding of the facts and the ability to present them in a way that supports your defense.

Criminally Negligent Homicide

There is a fine line between manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. Criminal negligence involves negligent rather than reckless behavior. In Texas, a person is negligent when he acts in a “gross deviation” from the way an ordinary person would act in a similar situation. Because the definition of gross deviation varies from person to person, prosecutors have been known to classify even innocent behavior as a gross deviation.

In some cases, merely rolling through a stop sign is enough to merit a charge for criminally negligent homicide. If convicted, offenders receive a fourth degree felony, which carries a prison term ranging between 180 days to two years.

Federal Criminal Defense

Defended countless clients accused of federal crimes. As an experienced federal litigator, I know how to assemble an effective defense for high profile crimes.

White Collar Crimes

DWI Charges

A DWI Charge Can Put Your Life on Hold. A single arrest can seriously jeopardize your job, your freedom, and your reputation. If you have been arrested for drunk driving, you can’t afford to delay your defense.

Why Hire Us?

When you have been charged with a crime, you need an experienced lawyer who focuses exclusively on defending criminal cases and who will aggressively protect your rights. Throughout my career, I have successfully handled every type of criminal defense case. More importantly, criminal defense is the only thing I do. I have witnessed firsthand how a criminal charge can negatively impact every area of a person’s life. As a lawyer, I consider it a privilege to help people during this stressful time in their lives. Call me today at (409) 515-6170 for a free consultation to discuss.

I put all my trust in Mark some years back and he took damn good care of me and my case. -Michael Lawson

Free Case Evaluation

Call us 24/7 at (409) 515-6170 or fill out the form below to receive a free and confidential initial consultation.

Three Steps to Take If You’ve Been Charged With Domestic Violence

Meet our Attorneys

When you have been charged with a crime, you need experienced lawyers who focuses exclusively on defending criminal cases and who will aggressively protect your rights. Throughout our careers, We have successfully handled every type of criminal defense case. More importantly, criminal defense is the only thing we do..

Jessica Ebbs

Award Winning Felony Case Defense Lawyer

Jessica understands that a criminal conviction can impact someone for the rest of their life and that there is no substitute for one’s liberty. Merely being accused of a crime can severely impact someone’s life and Jessica takes such matters very seriously.

Jessica Ebbs was raised and has lived in Galveston County her entire life. In 2012, Jessica graduated cum laude from Sam Houston State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. After college, she attended South Texas College of Law to obtain her law degree. After completing law school, Jessica started at the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office as an Assistant District Attorney.

Mark Diaz

Experienced and Aggressive Texas Criminal Defense Attorney

Mark understands that being charged with a crime is an emotional and personal challenge. He considers criminal defense his life’s work, and he is committed to providing each client with personalized attention, affordable representation, and the best defense available anywhere.

In the realm of criminal defense, questions and concerns can’t always wait until morning. Mark’s clients receive his cell phone number, so they can connect any time they need help. From arrest through trial, Mark works hard to get the best possible results in and out of court.

Mark Diaz has been aggressively defending the rights of Texans for over eighteen years. A 1998 graduate of Thurgood Marshall School of Law who obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Houston, Mark concentrates his practice solely in the area of criminal defense.